User manual

Table Of Contents
Chapter 6
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Protecting databases 135
Security measures
Be sure that your database files, host computers, workstations, and the networks that access them are safe
from theft and corruption. To protect your data and equipment, you should implement the following five
important security measures:
1 Enhance physical security
1 Enhance operating system security
1 Establish network security
1 Back up databases and other important files
1 Install, run, and upgrade antivirus software
For more information about securing FileMaker Pro files, see www.filemaker.com/support/security.
Enhancing physical security
Evaluate your computers to make sure they are physically secure:
1 The host computer should be a dedicated machine, anchored to a desk or immovable object with a lock.
Secure the computer so that its hard drive cannot be removed. Restrict access to the computer by storing
it in a locked room.
1 Secure the client workstations that access a database. Lock the computers down and restrict access by
using a screensaver that requires a password.
1 Ensure the physical security of backup copies of files stored on portable media, such as tapes and CDs.
Enhancing operating system security
Use the security features of your operating system to restrict access to important data. The network
administrator should provide access only to individuals authorized to administer and maintain the system or
the FileMaker databases. In addition, they should:
1 Track system user IDs and passwords.
1 Restrict access to the FileMaker Pro application and file directories, servers, and web pages.
1 Review remote access settings for file sharing and FTP.
1 Restrict file upload or download access.
1 Make sure all users have the latest, most secure versions of operating system software.
1 To streamline processes, you can enable external authentication, which uses accounts that have been
configured in the Windows Domain Authentication or in Apple Open Directory. For more information,
see FileMaker
Pro Help.
1 Do not put FileMaker Pro files on file servers to share them. Use the built-in networking feature in
FileMaker
Pro and FileMaker Server. This prevents the files from being inappropriately copied or from
introducing record locking and potential corruption issues when files are shared with inappropriate methods.